Last Chanukah marked the first time a Speaker of the New York City Council opened the Chamber for a Festival of Lights celebration honoring historic Jewish episodes of faith, resilience, and the triumph of light over darkness. Speaker Adrienne Adams of District 28 in Queens, which includes the neighborhoods of Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Richmond Hill, and South Ozone Park – who has been a friend of Israel– once again hosted the commemoration. The Speaker formally announced the event in Chambers on Thursday, December 5, and partnered with the Council’s Jewish Caucus, chaired by Council Member Eric Dinowitz and Council Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers of Far Rockaway’s District 31, for this past Tuesday’s event. The Jewish Caucus, while small in number, has been a vital advocate for celebrating Jewish culture and unity within the city, much to Dinowitz’ credit.
However, the program’s success, Dinowitz acknowledged, was due to the dedication of Far Rockaway’s Pesach Osina, Community Engagement Officer within the Emergency Services Division in the Office of the Speaker. “Pesach works tirelessly to bring people and organizations together. He really makes sure these events happen and that everything runs smoothly. I even threw him a curveball during the event by asking him to introduce Cantor Joel Kaplan at the last minute. He stepped up beautifully and added such a distinctive touch to the evening.”
Dinowitz explained how, especially in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks, events like this take on deeper meaning. “Chanukah is about bringing light in times of darkness, and that’s what we strive to do at the Council.” Dinowitz then depicted how event honoree Mordechai “Modi” Rosenfeld, who attended with his manager Leo Veiga, perfectly embodies that spirit. “With all his humor and energy, he brings joy to so many people and is widely embraced across communities. That’s really the story of the Jewish people and Israel: a big tent that welcomes everyone and recognizes the value of each individual.”
Once an international banker for Meryll Lynch, Modi has since overtaken the Jewish comedic scene. At the mic, Modi, a Tel Aviv native, elicited lots of laughter through a stand-up routine joshing at contemporary Jewish lifestyle and primeval rituals that resonated well. “There was extra light, hope, and laughter on display,” reminisced Council Member Schulman of Forest Hills’ District 29, who presented the comedian with a Proclamation highlighting the comic’s cultural enrichment and outspoken love for the State of Israel within the entertainment industry.
Honoring a Community
This year’s celebration was not just about honoring individuals; it was about sharing that honor with the broader community. Dinowitz underscored the evening’s other distinguished awardee, Charlie Tebele, his wife Nancy, and their five children as an example of this. The Tebeles are proud Israel supporters and have recently visited.
Charles is the CEO and Founder of Starman Holding. In 1990, at the age of 25, Tebele, along with his brothers Elliot and Jeffrey, co-founded RCS Computer Experience, one of New York’s pioneering computer retail firms. Tebele gives back to society as Co-Founder of McCain Bayh GBM Consortium, a non-profit dedicated to finding a cure for Glioblastoma; Graphic Director and Board Member at New York City Economic Development Corporation, and as Director of the mental health social service The Safe Foundation, Inc.
When asked about a moment that stood out to him, Dinowitz did not hesitate: the SAR Academy children’s choir under Noah Sullivan’s brilliant mastery of orchestration. “Their performance was not just about talent – though they were amazing – it was about the message they brought. Seeing children involved reminded everyone why we do what we do. It is not about us; it is about building a brighter future for the next generation.”
“It was wonderful to see the leadership of this city shining light and standing against hate during this challenging time for the Jewish people and the State of Israel,” shared Bini Krauss, Principal at SAR Academy, whose father Rabbi Simcha Krauss zt”l led the Young Israel of Hillcrest with distinction.
Collaboration and Leadership
Dinowitz also praised the close collaboration among city leaders, including Congress Member Ritchie Torres, who shares a strong connection to SAR Academy, found in their overlapping district. The District 11 Council Member, serving the neighborhoods of Riverdale, Kingsbridge, and Woodlawn, is privileged to work alongside his father, longtime New York State Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz, who has represented the Bronx’s 81st District since 1994. Jeffrey has been a prominent figure in local and state politics, known for his work on tenant protections, consumer rights, and environmental issues.
This collaboration extends to institutions like SAR, which enrich our neighborhoods and represent the best of Jewish education and culture. The Council Member delivered a message seeking universal peace and safety, also detailing ongoing efforts in the fight against anti-Semitism, for example the creation of a lesson plan cultivating sensitivity and tolerance being put to the test at a Brooklyn middle school.
Dinowitz closed by emphasizing the importance of sharing these moments more broadly. “It is so important that we write about and share these events – not just for our local community, but for the wider political and cultural circles. It is a way to inspire others to be part of this in the future.” Council Members Julie Menin, Lynn Schulman, Lincoln Restler, and Inna Vernokov are the only other members in the Jewish Caucus. In their remarks, a consistent theme of unity surfaced, as well as the persistent need to combat anti-Semitism.
Notably in attendance were Tsach Saar, Deputy Consul General of Israel in New York; Dep. Chief Richie Taylor, Commanding Officer of the Community Outreach Division of the Community Affairs Bureau; Israel Nitzan, former Acting Consul General of Israel in New York; Rabbi Michael Miller, CEO Emeritus at JCRC-NY; Rabbi Mendy Hecht of Chabad of Forest Hills North; Council Members Erik Bottcher and Gale A. Brewer of Manhattan, and Susan Zhuang, immigrant advocate; Rabbi Daniel Pollack, Jewish liaison to Rep. Grace Meng; Shabbos Kestenbaum, a Jewish Harvard alumnus who is suing the school over its response to anti-Semitism; Mendel Banon, Founder of Meaningful Moment, promoting a 60-second period at the start of the school day for children to silently reflect on a value or idea that they find meaningful, based on the vision of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; Manilan Houle, award-winning activist, organizer, political consultant, and Israel Policy Forum participant; Charlie Savenor, Executive Director of Civic Spirit; Rabbi Ari Weiss, US Coast Guard Police Chaplain, NYPD Clergy Liaison, EMT, and CEO at Citywide Auto Leasing & Financing; Joey Saban of the Sephardic Community Federation (SCF); Rabbi Mordechai Lightstone, Social Media Director at Chabad.org, and Founder of Tech Tribe; and Scott Richman, ADL’s NY/NJ Regional Director.
Recognition for co-sponsorship is extended to JCRC of New York, the central coordinating and resource body for metro area Jewish organizations, which pushes forward a mission to build relationships with multi-ethnic, religious, and political leadership, represented by CEO Mark Treyger, who spoke of the central JCRC themes of cooperation amongst all segments of New York Jewry.
“Good food, inspiring honorees, excellent entertainment – what more could you ask for?” Dinowitz said, summing up the night. “This celebration truly captured the essence of Chanukah: finding bright moments, however small, and sharing them with others.”
